Life without Gronk

Monday

Nov 19, 2012 at 3:00 PMNov 19, 2012 at 4:09 PM

Like winning Powerball, seeing a UFO and Thanksgiving dinner being served on time, the odds of Bill Belichick providing an injury update are astronomical. The clandestine coach continued his tightlipped ways this afternoon when addressing the status of All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, who reportedly broke his left forearm in the closing minutes of yesterday's 59-24 romp over the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium.

By Rich Garven TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Like winning Powerball, seeing a UFO and Thanksgiving dinner being served on time, the odds of Bill Belichick providing an injury update are astronomical.

The clandestine coach continued his tightlipped ways this afternoon when addressing the status of All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, who reportedly broke his left forearm in the closing minutes of yesterday's 59-24 romp over the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium.

“No, I don't really have anything,” Belichick said during a conference call. “Our medical people are looking at all our players, trying to access their situation, as they always do on Monday. I'll catch up with them if they've had a chance to see them all at the end of the day.”

Belichick later added: “Whatever the injury information is, we'll release it in a timely fashion, when we're required by the league, just like we always do.”

Multiple national outlets reported Gronkowski had surgery this morning. The standard recovery time for such an injury is four to six weeks, although it can often be as little as three weeks and as long as eight.

There are six weeks remaining in the regular season.

While Patriot fans are panicking over the situation, the Patriots themselves are being pragmatic.

“He's such a great player and it sucks that he gets hurt, but it's part of this game,” quarterback Tom Brady said during his weekly paid appearance on WEEI this morning. “So he's got to do his best to get back as soon as possible and we've got to go out there and win some games without him.”

The Patriots have won four straight to improve to 7-3 and take command of the AFC East. They have a three-game lead over the entire division as the Bills, Dolphins and Jets are all 4-6.

Gronkowski is tied for 15th in the NFL in receptions (53), he's 11th in receiving yards (748) and tied for first in receiving touchdowns (10). He's universally regarded as the best blocker at his position in the league.

You don't replace a player like that, you just try to patch things together as best as possible. With five tight ends on the roster, the Patriots have plenty of options as they begin preparing for Thursday night's game against the Jets in New York.

Daniel Fells, who was a healthy scratch yesterday, and Michael Hoomanawanui are competent blockers. Visanthe Shiancoe, who has appeared in the last two games after missing significant time with a hamstring injury, is a solid receiver.

“(Gronkowski) does a lot for us, but there's a reason why you have other guys on the roster, too,” Brady said, later adding, “Everyone's got to get out there and start trying to make up for having Gronk out.

“So that's just part of it and you've got to find ways to adjust and no one really cares. No one cares what's going on with us. We've got to go out there and still go out there and win.”

Then there's Aaron Hernandez. Arguably the Patriots' most versatile player, he's missed the past three games and six overall with a high ankle sprain.

The feeling is Hernandez is close to returning. His presence would obviously mitigate the loss of Gronkowski.

“I don't know,” Belichick said when asked if Hernandez would play Thursday. “We'll have to see how close he is or isn't to playing. Probably make a decision later on in the week, maybe even a game-time decision.”

The Patriots don't play again for 10 days after facing the Jets. So holding out Hernandez, who has already had one setback, for one more game might be tempting.

Belichick dismissed that line of thinking.

“I think that a player's availability for the game would be judged on its merits, period, for this game,” he said.The Patriots are clearly going to have to adjust to the loss of Gronkowski. How that plays out against the Jets has yet to be determined.

“We haven't gotten into all that game planning, but our offense is, we have flexibility within what we do so we try to play to the strengths of our players,” Brady said. “Obviously Gronk is a great player for our team. We've got to make adjustments and play to the strengths of the guys that are in there now.

“That's just part of the football season. The Jets lose (Darrelle) Revis for the season, they lose Santonio Holmes for the season. I mean, they've got injuries; every team's got injuries. We've been dealing with them all season and we've still got to go there and be able to do our job and execute.”

Gronkowski was injured while blocking on an extra point that would close out the scoring in a 35-point win for the Patriots. Why he was even on the field in such a situation has become a hot topic.

“Just one of his roles and jobs in the game,” Belichick responded.

And if you're looking for some good news in a bad situation, the unwanted time off should help Gronkowski with regard to the painful hip injury he's been playing with for most of the season.